Collingwood have been forced into a midfield reshuffle with star onballer Dayne Beams and Taylor Adams out of their AFL clash with Carlton.
Beams, who is battling a sore hip, failed to train at Thursday’s main session and joined Adams (groin) in departing the side that defeated Port Adelaide.
With Mason Cox already ruled out with an ankle injury, the second-placed Pies recalled Chris Mayne and Rupert Wills.
“We’ve been really big on building a squad and having a mentality of having players ready to come in fill a void,” coach Nathan Buckley said of his current injury concerns.
“I think we’ve displayed that often enough.
“There will be times when (injuries) will occur over the course of the campaign so that’s part of our preparation.”
The Blues regained Matthew Kreuzer, Will Setterfield and Mitch McGovern from injury but lost Liam Jones to a concussion.
Cox will likely return next week, with the Pies taking a cautious approach with the 211cm giant.
That would leave Buckley with a tough selection call given the promising return of forward Ben Reid last week after his wretched run of injuries.
“Last week it wasn’t about putting pressure on (Reid) to be something he’s not,” Buckley said.
“We just want to see the best of him.
“His aerial competitiveness is an important part of the role that he plays and he brought that to the table.
“He put pressure on the opposition and was able to chop out Brodie (Grundy) in the ruck at times, so it was a really encouraging re-entry into AFL level.
“I’m sure Reidy would like to take more steps again.”
Daniel Wells is hoping for a similar turn of fortune, the veteran edging closer to a return from a foot/ankle injury that has helped keep him out of AFL company since round 12 last season.
The 34-year-old has played three games in the VFL, with Buckley keen to see him continue to build his case and regain confidence in his body before stepping up.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Macca, what injured players are missing today from your best side?
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Looks like Treloar out with the flu Macca
User
Roar Rookie
Can't tip Carlton Pete, only way they are a chance is if Collingwood has 6 injuries in first quarter.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
changing your tip 6 x 6?
Macca
Roar Rookie
"Pies goal kicking has been pretty average this year too. In a dour game, can easily see a 3/4 time scenario something like: Collingwood: 8.16. 64 Carlton 9.5. 59" Might make up for round 3 last year when Collingwood kicked 16.4 to 11.10
User
Roar Rookie
Rupert wills is still playing sheesh
Macca
Roar Rookie
Cripps had a terrible first quarter last week and over the last 2 weeks he has been a bit down on his impact. I suspect he will be looking to really make a statement early this week.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Pies goal kicking has been pretty average this year too. In a dour game, can easily see a 3/4 time scenario something like: Collingwood: 8.16. 64 Carlton 9.5. 59 We will see I suppose. Cripps would be relishing coming up against Rupert Wills in his first senior game since round 18, 2017. He is a huge body like Cripps so may be told to stick with him in the clinches and get his body in the way.
Macca
Roar Rookie
the site I looked at is still saying 10% but the BOM is saying 40% - but of 0-1mm.
Fat Toad
Roar Rookie
It has been a while since I read/saw it, but some years ago someone produced some interesting stats about skilful teams doing better in the wet. To my mind, it went against what I thought was the established view, but the rationale was when conditions are difficult, skilful teams have greater opportunity to demonstrate their skills, but in better conditions the differential in skill execution is more marginal. Frankly, it still leaves me scratching my head, but I think that I have observed a few examples in the last few years. How this might play out in the Blues v Pies game if it rains … I am not sure.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
If it was the weather in melbourne today Tom I reckon Blues would be a huge chance, tomorrow I think they are still a chance.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Most Pies fans are conditioned to agony Macca. It would not surprise me in any way for the Blues to win this week.
Macca
Roar Rookie
Yeah it isn't really surprising but should be acknowledged before people start calling for Bolton's head. It is also necessary to note the positions the young blokes are playing for the blues, not a lot of them are being hidden in a pocket or on a flank but they are either playing KP's or on the ball.
TomC
Roar Guru
40% right now on the BOM website. Strange things happen in wet footy. In particular it's often hard for a team to really put a gap on the scoreboard if they get control in general play, which frankly is likely to happen for the Pies at some point or other.
Macca
Roar Rookie
Only 10% chance of rain tomorrow apparently and with the age profiles, and forward set ups, I think the blues would prefer good conditions. My prediction for the game, the blues come out breathing fire and get the jump on the pies and have 4 goal break at quarter time, the pies then get on top over the next two quarters and take a less than 1 goal lead into the last which is a see sawing affair before the previously unsighted Mitch McGovern has his customary 5 minutes of action where he kicks the final 2 goals of the game to get the blues over the line with just seconds to spare. That or the pies belt us to within an inch of our lives.
TomC
Roar Guru
Unlikely I know, but on a slightly wet day I'd love to see Carlton really take it up to Collingwood and get their supporters into the game.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
It's a re-baptism by fire for Rupert Wills. First senior game in 650+ days and he comes up against Cripps!
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I guess that is normal for a club "in the window" and a club not in the window Macca along with the Blues having a few injuries and playing kids early as a result. The Pies have a few younger players struggling to break into the side as you'd expect after a Grand Final. Brayden Sier has been injured and is only 21, a good player. Tyler Brown has perhaps more potential than his brother. Josh Daicos is an interesting one. Can't see him breaking in and probably off elsewhere end year Max Lynch looks really good but is a big ruckman and they take time. Quaynor looks a beauty too. Sam Murray is only 21 but looks to have ended his career.
Macca
Roar Rookie
Interesting stat for this week, the blues have 10 player in the 18 to 21 age bracket, the Pies have 2.